Split decision in key swim meet
Marlboro girls, FT boys near crowns
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
Freehold Township's and Marlboro's swimmers know each other very well. They know how dedicated and committed each team is because at 5 a.m. they are in the pool at the same time at the Freehold Area YMCA getting their practices in.

JEFF GRANIT staff Freehold Township's John Bosa (front) and Marlboro's J.V. Kracke compete in the 200 freestyle during a Jan. 8 meet at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County.

Both coaches and swimmers knew that Thursday's Shore Conference A North Division showdown would be close, one that could go either way. At stake would be the division title for 2008-09. Last winter, it was Freehold Township's girls winning the title after a narrow one-point win over the Mustangs, and on the boys' side, it was Marlboro swimming away with the title.

In Thursday's dual meet, the two teams swam to a split decision. Only this time, it was Marlboro's girls and Freehold Township's boys emerging as the division leaders after winning compelling swim meets in the YMCA swimming pool.

"We are very even," said Freehold Township coach Melissa Merolla after the meet. "It could have gone both ways for either team."

Mustang head coach Jennifer Maloney expressed similar sentiments.

"We are equal teams," she remarked. "Any given team can win on any given day."

Both coaches feared a possible sweep against them and were pleased with the split.

Marlboro's girls pulled away in the final three events to register a 93-77 victory, while Freehold Township's boys won a nailbiter, 87-83, that was not decided until the final 400 freestyle relay.

Chelsea Unger and Lisa Zhang helped the Mustangs open up a 44-34 lead early in the meet. Zhang won the 200 Individual Medley (2:18.0) as the Mustangs outscored the Pats 10-6. Unger, last year's Monmouth County and Shore Conference champion, won the 50 freestyle (25.45) as the Mustangs rolled up an 11-5 edge there. Zhang's win in the 100 butterfly (1:02.75) keyed a 9-7 advantage that built the lead to 44-34.

Freehold Township closed the gap by outscoring the Mustangs in the 100 freestyle (10-6) led by Lauren Grajek's win, 10-6, in the 500 freestyle (9-7) that was won by Kate Dwyer (5:49.0) and the 200 freestyle relay (8-6). Muller, Janna Qiao, Melissa Montaro and Claudia Najar made up the winning team, which clocked 1:56.91).

Muller won the 100 backstroke (1:08.87), but the Mustangs were second, third and fourth to outscore the Pats, 9-7. Victoria Kozhevnkov led the Marlboro.

Keyed by Unger's win in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.32) Marlboro out-scored Freehold Township 11-5 to retake command of the meet.

Kim Torres, Ana Santos, Zhang and Unger then teamed up to win the 400 freestyle relay (3:55.91) for the final 93-77 margin of victory.

In addition to Unger and Zhang, the team's standouts, Marlboro's victory was forged by everyone on the team coming through and surpassing what they've done before.

"Everyone swam their best times," noted Maloney.

Sunny Zhang won the 200 freestyle (2:26.56). Maloney pointed to Torres and Taylor Zembricki, who swam the 200 IM for the first time and scored points. A third place by Ali Vento in the 50 freestyle was huge.

With the victory, the Mustangs are 4-1 overall and 4-0 in A North with just one meet in the conference remaining, against Colts Neck. Freehold Township is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the division.

Merolla said that it was hard for her Pats to overcome Unger and Lisa Zhang.

Dywer was a double winner for the Pats, taking the long distance 200 (2:07.44) and 500 freestyle races.

With two events remaining in the boys meet, the Pats and Mustangs were tied at 70-70.

Ovidijus Alisauskas (1:06.50) and Matt Selick went one-three in the 100 breaststroke to give the Pats the 79-77 edge going into the finale, the 400 relay.

The Pats' depth prevailed there winning by more than eight seconds in 3:34.09. Danny Reed, Jon Bosa, Sean Byrne and Andrew Hiss made up the winning squad.

"The relays helped us a lot," said Merola.

Byrne, Alisauskas, Hiss and Reed got the meet off to a flying start by winning the 200 medley relay (1:54.91) handily.

Individually, Hiss and Byrne were double winners. Hiss won the 100 butterfly (58.0) and the 500 freestyle (6:06.03). Byrne was first in the 200 IM 2:13.16) and the 100 backstroke (1:01.00).

Bosas touched first in the 100 freestyle for the Pats (53.66).

Maloney said a one-three finish in the breaststroke that led to a 9-7 edge that was critical for Township. Selick collected the all-important three points.

Marlboro's J.V. Kracke was also a double winner. He captured the 200 freestyle (1:54.11) and the 50 free (23.56).

Matt Cohen, Bobby Froster, Brandon Ng and Kracke won the 200 freestyle relay for the Mustangs (1:41.91).

Maloney said the meet came down to one simple fact: "They swam better than we did."

Freehold Township is 4-1 overall and 3-0 in A North. Marlboro is 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the division.